Premios Salvapastores (1)

Festival start: 01 July 2027      Festival end: 31 July 2027

The SalvaPastores™ Film Awards were created to raise awareness, dignify, and give greater value to the profession of being shepherd and milk producers (goat, sheep, cow, buffalo...), as well as the fundamental role they play in the sustainability of the land, food production, and the preservation of cultural and environmental traditions.

This initiative stems from the SalvaPastores™ project, spearheaded by Michele Buster, co-founder of the international company Forever Cheese, who throughout her career has championed artisan and iconic cheeses and specialty foods from Spain, Italy, Portugal and Croatia.

The aim of the awards is to change the social perception of how this profession is perceived, one that has often been associated with negative stereotypes or a profession left to those who had no other alternative, showing its true dimension:

-Modern and qualified professionals.

-Entrepreneurial and independent individuals, capable of managing their own projects.

-Guardians of the land and biodiversity.

-Intelligent, resilient, and committed workers.

-Everyday heroes of the rural world.

Closely associated with the slogan,"Es la leche" underscores in a symbolic way the importance of milk and all of the products that derive from it , remembering that ‘ No milk, No Cheese’ and without milk producers there is no future for the countryside.

"Without milk there is no cheese, and without shepherds and farmers there is no future for the countryside."

The SalvaPastores™ Awards also aim to:

-Encourage generational succession in this field.

-Redefine the role of the shepherd and farmer, making it more appealing and attractive.

-Inspire new generations of young people to consider this as a profession

-Disseminate technological & scientific innovation applied to modern dairy farming

-Highlight the relationship between agriculture, gastronomy, sustainability & culture.

-Promote respect for rural life and natural ecosystems

Film and audiovisual media thus become fundamental tools for telling these stories and changing the narrative about the rural world.

The ceremony will be held as part of the cultural and film event A LA LUZ DEL CINE (In the Light of Cinema).

ORGANIZING ENTITY

The SalvaPastores™ awards are organized by "La Silla de la Vida" Cultural Association
C/ Don Quijote, 21
45700 Consuegra
Toledo, Spain

The association is responsible for the call for entries, organization, selection, and presentation of the awards.

Official email address for the competition: premiossalvapastores@gmail.com

OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM SELECTION

This competition highlights the art of making Short Films and is open to filmakers from around the world.

The works submitted must focus on the role of shepherds, small or medium sized farms, or other related figures in the pastoral world, as well as the values, challenges and realities linked to this profession.

The short films should reflect from a narrative, documentary or creative perspective, some or all of the following aspects:

-The life and work of shepherds & milk producers

-The importance of the pastoral sector in the production of food, especially milk and its derivatives.

-The relation between humans , animals, the land and “terroir”.

-The preservation of landscape, biodiversity and the natural ecosystems relating to extensive farms.

-Generational Succession and the future of the rural world with special attention to attracting young people to the profession.

-Innovation, Technology, Applied sciences in modern dairy farming on a small and medium scale.

-The social, cultural and human value of the profession as a way of life and heritage for generations.

-The works should contribute to showing a current, realistic and positive vision of the sector, highlighting the role of shepherds and milk farmers as professionals integral to society, the enviornment and food culture.

Cash Prizes: 4,000€

The following awards will be given:

- Best Fiction Short Film
€4,000 + statuette

- Best Documentary Short Film
€4,000 + statuette

- Best Animated Short Film
€4,000 + statuette

The organization may award special mentions without monetary prize.

SELECTION OF FINALISTS

The selection committee will choose 20 finalist short films from all the submissions received.

Each finalist short film will receive a screening fee of €100.

At least one representative from each winning short film should attend the awards ceremony. The three finalists will have their expenses of traveling and living covered.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

The following may participate:

-Individuals over 18 years of age

-Audiovisual production companies

-Audiovisual groups or associations

The works must meet the following requirements:

-Produced between January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027

-Maximum recommended duration: 30 minutes
Open theme, provided it is related to the purpose of these awards

-Digital format

-Subtitles in Spanish or english for works in other languages

-Each author or production company may submit a maximum of two works.

-Not be produced by using AI

SELECTION COMMITTEE

A selection committee designated by the organization will be responsible for viewing all the works received and selecting 20 short film finalists. The committee will be comprised of professionals in the Film, Cultural, Rural and AgriFood world.

THE JUDGES

The jury will be composed of professionals from the audiovisual, cultural, and gastronomic sectors, as well as representatives tied to the rural world.

Their decisions will be final.

The jury may award special mentions if it deems it appropriate.